Introducing HPV Vaccine in Developing Countries — Key Challenges and Issues

Of 274,000 deaths due to cervical cancer each year, more than 80% occur in developing countries. Drs. Jan Agosti and Sue Goldie suggest that there is sufficient evidence to support global policy recommendations for the introduction of HPV vaccine. More than any other cancer, cervical cancer reflects striking global health inequity. It is the second most common cancer among women worldwide, with about 493,000 new cases diagnosed annually (see map). Of 274,000 deaths due to cervical cancer each year, more than 80% occur in developing countries, and this proportion is expected to increase to 90% by 2020. 1 Affecting relatively young women, it is the largest single cause of years of life lost to cancer in the developing world. The deaths of women who are in their most productive years have a devastating effect on the well-being of their families, . . .